Wire feeder to torch communication

Abstract

A method for supporting communication between a torch and a wire feeder or power source. The method includes superimposing a carrier signal on a DC trigger line voltage that is modulated to communicate data between the torch and the wire feeder/power source. The circuitry also supports conventional trigger line functionality.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 supplying, via communications wires, an electric signal between a welding module and a torch;   monitoring the electric signal, in a first state, for a first type of power trigger signal received from the torch;   monitoring the electric signal, in a second state, for a second type of power trigger signal, different from the first type of power trigger signal, from the torch; and   in response to detecting the first type of power trigger signal or the second type of power trigger signal, delivering welding type power to the torch.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electric signal is a DC signal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring the electric signal, in the first state, comprises detecting that the electric signal has been shorted. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring the electric signal, in the second state, comprises detecting a repetitively modulated signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising electrically powering a human-machine interface of the torch with the electric signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the torch comprises at least one display. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising superimposing a carrier signal on the electric signal. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one of transmitting data to, or receiving data from, the torch via the carrier signal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the carrier signal is modulated using at least one of on-off keying (OOK), frequency modulation (FM), amplitude modulation (AM), frequency shift keying (FSK), or amplitude shift keying (ASK) to send the data. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data comprises at least one of a welding parameter and a software update. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, in response to detecting the first type of power trigger signal or the second type of power signal, delivering cutting type power to the torch. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a power source;   a torch; and   communication wires connecting the power source and the torch,   wherein the power source is configured to:
 supply, via the communications wires, an electric signal to the torch; 
 monitor the electric signal, in a first state, for a first type of power trigger signal received from the torch; 
 monitor the electric signal, in a second state, for a second type of power trigger signal, different from the first type of power trigger signal, from the torch; and 
 in response to detecting the first type of power trigger signal or the second type of power signal, delivering welding type power to the torch. 
   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the electric signal is a DC signal. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the power source is configured to monitor the electric signal, in the first state, by detecting that the electric signal has been shorted. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the power source is configured to monitor the electric signal, in the second state, by detecting a repetitively modulated signal or a DC signal. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the power source is further configured to electrically power a human-machine interface of the torch with the electric signal. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the torch comprises at least one display. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the power source is configured to superimpose a carrier signal on the electric signal. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the power source is further configured to at least one of transmit data to or receive data from the torch via the carrier signal. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 a power source;   a torch; and   communication wires connecting the power source and the torch,   wherein the power source is configured to:
 supply, via the communications wires, an electric signal to the torch to power a human machine interface integrated with the torch; 
 monitor the electric signal for a power trigger signal represented by a repetitively modulated signal; and 
 in response to detecting the power trigger signal, delivering welding or cutting type power to the torch.